Antibodies to human resistin

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to the field of pulmonary, cardiac and inflammatory disorders. More specifically, the present invention provides methods and compositions for treating disorders associated with Resistin. In a specific embodiment, the present invention provides an antibody that binds human Resistin.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/899,342, filed Dec. 17, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,822,407, issued Nov. 3, 2020, which is a 35 U.S.C. § 371 U.S. national entry of International Application PCT/US2014/042706, having an international filing date of Jun. 17, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/835,855, filed Jun. 17, 2013, the content of each of the aforementioned applications is herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENTAL INTEREST

This invention was made with government support under grant no. P50HL107182 awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The government has certain rights in the invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of pulmonary, cardiac and inflammatory disorders. More specifically, the present invention provides methods and compositions for treating disorders associated with Resistin.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY

This application contains a sequence listing. It has been submitted electronically via EFS-Web as an ASCII text file entitled “P12269-02_Sequence_Listing.txt.” The sequence listing is 291,637 bytes in size, and was created on Jun. 17, 2014. It is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Resistin and Resistin-Like Molecule-Beta (RELM-beta) are the human analogs of a recently identified family of secreted proteins containing a conserved cysteine-rich C-terminus. The RELM family consists of Resistin (also called FIZZ3), RELM-alpha (FIZZ1), RELM-beta (FIZZ2) and RELM-gamma (FIZZ4). In human there are two isoforms, Resistin and RELM-Beta. The RELM family of proteins has been implicated in several human disease states including, but not limited to, pulmonary hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy and failure, asthma, lung inflammation, sepsis, acute lung injury, respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary fibrosis, scleroderma, arteriosclerosis, chronic obstructive lung disease/emphysema, normal and abnormal wound healing, cancer, cell proliferation, stem cell growth and differentiation, diabetic retinopathy, and insulin resistance. There is a continuing need in the art to provide therapies for diseases, disorder and conditions mediated by the RELM family of proteins.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based, at least in part, on the development of antibodies to Resistin. Thus, in particular embodiments, the present invention provides isolated antibodies that bind human Resistin. Such antibodies may also be cross-reactive with RELMB. In particular embodiments, the antibodies are recombinant or otherwise non-naturally occurring antibodies. In other embodiments, the present invention provides nucleotide sequences that encode an antibody that binds human Resistin. The present invention further provides amino acid sequences that encode an antibody that binds human Resistin. The antibody can be a single chain variable fragment (scFv), a dimeric scFv, a Fab, a Fab′, a F(ab′)2 fragment or a full length antibody.

In specific embodiments, the antibody comprises a variable heavy chain comprising SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:23, SEQ ID NO:33, SEQ ID NO:43, SEQ ID NO:53, SEQ ID NO:63, SEQ ID NO:73, SEQ ID NO:83, SEQ ID NO:93, SEQ ID NO:103, SEQ ID NO:113, SEQ ID NO:123, SEQ ID NO:133, SEQ ID NO:143, SEQ ID NO:153, SEQ ID NO: 163, or fragments thereof. In other embodiments, the antibody comprises a variable heavy chain that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:23, SEQ ID NO:33, SEQ ID NO:43, SEQ ID NO:53, SEQ ID NO:63, SEQ ID NO:73, SEQ ID NO:83, SEQ ID NO:93, SEQ ID NO:103, SEQ ID NO:113, SEQ ID NO:123, SEQ ID NO:133, SEQ ID NO:143, SEQ ID NO:153, SEQ ID NO:163, or fragments thereof.

In certain embodiments, the antibody comprises a light chain comprising SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID NO:27, SEQ ID NO:37, SEQ ID NO:47, SEQ ID NO:57, SEQ ID NO:67, SEQ ID NO:77, SEQ ID NO:87, SEQ ID NO:97, SEQ ID NO:107, SEQ ID NO:117, SEQ ID NO:127, SEQ ID NO:137, SEQ ID NO:147, SEQ ID NO:157, SEQ ID NO:167, or fragments thereof. Alternatively, the antibody comprises a light chain that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID NO:27, SEQ ID NO:37, SEQ ID NO:47, SEQ ID NO:57, SEQ ID NO:67, SEQ ID NO:77, SEQ ID NO:87, SEQ ID NO:97, SEQ ID NO:107, SEQ ID NO:117, SEQ ID NO:127, SEQ ID NO:137, SEQ ID NO:147, SEQ ID NO:157, SEQ ID NO:167, or fragments thereof.

The present invention also provides antibodies in which the variable domain of the heavy chain comprises one or more complementarity determining regions (CDRs) selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO: 16, SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID NO:26, SEQ ID NO:34, SEQ ID NO:35, SEQ ID NO:36, SEQ ID NO:44, SEQ ID NO:45, SEQ ID NO:46, SEQ ID NO:54, SEQ ID NO:55, SEQ ID NO:56, SEQ ID NO:64, SEQ ID NO:65, SEQ ID NO:66, SEQ ID NO:74, SEQ ID NO:75, SEQ ID NO:76, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:85, SEQ ID NO:86, SEQ ID NO:94, SEQ ID NO:95, SEQ ID NO:96, SEQ ID NO:104, SEQ ID NO:105, SEQ ID NO:106, SEQ ID NO:114, SEQ ID NO:115, SEQ ID NO:116, SEQ ID NO: 124, SEQ ID NO:125, SEQ ID NO:126, SEQ ID NO:134, SEQ ID NO:135, SEQ ID NO: 136, SEQ ID NO:144, SEQ ID NO:145, SEQ ID NO:146, SEQ ID NO:154, SEQ ID NO:155, SEQ ID NO:156, SEQ ID NO:164, SEQ ID NO:165, SEQ ID NO:166, and fragments thereof. In other embodiments, the variable domain of the heavy chain comprises one or more complementarity determining regions (CDRs) that are at least 90% identical to a CDR selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID NO:26, SEQ ID NO:34, SEQ ID NO:35, SEQ ID NO:36, SEQ ID NO:44, SEQ ID NO:45, SEQ ID NO:46, SEQ ID NO:54, SEQ ID NO:55, SEQ ID NO:56, SEQ ID NO:64, SEQ ID NO:65, SEQ ID NO:66, SEQ ID NO:74, SEQ ID NO:75, SEQ ID NO:76, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:85, SEQ ID NO:86, SEQ ID NO:94, SEQ ID NO:95, SEQ ID NO:96, SEQ ID NO:104, SEQ ID NO:105, SEQ ID NO:106, SEQ ID NO:114, SEQ ID NO:115, SEQ ID NO: 116, SEQ ID NO:124, SEQ ID NO:125, SEQ ID NO:126, SEQ ID NO:134, SEQ ID NO: 135, SEQ ID NO:136, SEQ ID NO:144, SEQ ID NO:145, SEQ ID NO:146, SEQ ID NO: 154, SEQ ID NO:155, SEQ ID NO:156, SEQ ID NO:164, SEQ ID NO:165, SEQ ID NO:166, and fragments thereof.

The present invention also provides antibodies in which the variable domain of the light chain comprises one or more CDRs selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO:28, SEQ ID NO:29, SEQ ID NO:30, SEQ ID NO:38, SEQ ID NO:39, SEQ ID NO:40, SEQ ID NO:48, SEQ ID NO:49, SEQ ID NO:50, SEQ ID NO:58, SEQ ID NO:59, SEQ ID NO:60, SEQ ID NO:68, SEQ ID NO:69, SEQ ID NO:70, SEQ ID NO:78, SEQ ID NO:79, SEQ ID NO:80, SEQ ID NO:88, SEQ ID NO:89, SEQ ID NO:90, SEQ ID NO:98, SEQ ID NO:99, SEQ ID NO:100, SEQ ID NO:108, SEQ ID NO:109, SEQ ID NO:110, SEQ ID NO: 118, SEQ ID NO:119, SEQ ID NO:120, SEQ ID NO:128, SEQ ID NO:129, SEQ ID NO: 130, SEQ ID NO:138, SEQ ID NO:139, SEQ ID NO:140, SEQ ID NO:148, SEQ ID NO: 149, SEQ ID NO:150, SEQ ID NO:158, SEQ ID NO:159, SEQ ID NO:160, SEQ ID NO:168, SEQ ID NO:169, SEQ ID NO:170, and fragments thereof. In alternative embodiments, the variable domain of the light chain comprises one or more CDRs that are at least 90% identical to a CDR selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO:28, SEQ ID NO:29, SEQ ID NO:30, SEQ ID NO:38, SEQ ID NO:39, SEQ ID NO:40, SEQ ID NO:48, SEQ ID NO:49, SEQ ID NO:50, SEQ ID NO:58, SEQ ID NO:59, SEQ ID NO:60, SEQ ID NO:68, SEQ ID NO:69, SEQ ID NO:70, SEQ ID NO:78, SEQ ID NO:79, SEQ ID NO:80, SEQ ID NO:88, SEQ ID NO:89, SEQ ID NO:90, SEQ ID NO:98, SEQ ID NO:99, SEQ ID NO:100, SEQ ID NO:108, SEQ ID NO:109, SEQ ID NO:110, SEQ ID NO:118, SEQ ID NO:119, SEQ ID NO:120, SEQ ID NO:128, SEQ ID NO:129, SEQ ID NO:130, SEQ ID NO:138, SEQ ID NO:139, SEQ ID NO:140, SEQ ID NO:148, SEQ ID NO:149, SEQ ID NO:150, SEQ ID NO:158, SEQ ID NO:159, SEQ ID NO:160, SEQ ID NO:168, SEQ ID NO:169, SEQ ID NO:170, and fragments thereof.

In specific embodiments, the present invention provides an scfv that binds human Resistin, wherein the scfv is encoded by SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ ID NO:31, SEQ ID NO:41, SEQ ID NO:51, SEQ ID NO:61, SEQ ID NO:71, SEQ ID NO:81, SEQ ID NO:91, SEQ ID NO:101, SEQ ID NO:111, SEQ ID NO:121, SEQ ID NO:131, SEQ ID NO:141, SEQ ID NO:151, SEQ ID NO:161 or fragments thereof. In other embodiments, the scfv is encoded by nucleotide sequence that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ ID NO:31, SEQ ID NO:41, SEQ ID NO:51, SEQ ID NO:61, SEQ ID NO:71, SEQ ID NO:81, SEQ ID NO:91, SEQ ID NO:101, SEQ ID NO:111, SEQ ID NO:121, SEQ ID NO:131, SEQ ID NO:141, SEQ ID NO:151, SEQ ID NO: 161 or fragments thereof.

The present invention also provides an scfv that binds human Resistin, wherein the scfv comprises SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ ID NO:32, SEQ ID NO:42, SEQ ID NO:52, SEQ ID NO:62, SEQ ID NO:72, SEQ ID NO:82, SEQ ID NO:92, SEQ ID NO:102, SEQ ID NO:112, SEQ ID NO:122, SEQ ID NO:132, SEQ ID NO:142, SEQ ID NO:152, SEQ ID NO:162 or fragments thereof. In alternative embodiments, the scfv comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ ID NO:32, SEQ ID NO:42, SEQ ID NO:52, SEQ ID NO:62, SEQ ID NO:72, SEQ ID NO:82, SEQ ID NO:92, SEQ ID NO:102, SEQ ID NO: 112, SEQ ID NO:122, SEQ ID NO:132, SEQ ID NO:142, SEQ ID NO:152, SEQ ID NO:162 or fragments thereof.

The antibodies of the present invention can further comprise a constant domain comprising SEQ ID NO:172, SEQ ID NO:174 or a fragment thereof. In other embodiments, the antibodies can further comprise a constant domain that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:172, SEQ ID NO:174 or a fragment thereof.

In specific embodiments, the present invention also provides a Resistin antibody comprising a heavy chain selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:176, SEQ ID NO:180, SEQ ID NO:184, SEQ ID NO:188, SEQ ID NO:192, SEQ ID NO:196, SEQ ID NO:200, SEQ ID NO:204, SEQ ID NO:208, SEQ ID NO:212, SEQ ID NO:216, SEQ ID NO:220, SEQ ID NO:224, SEQ ID NO:228, SEQ ID NO:232, SEQ ID NO:236, and SEQ ID NO:240. In additional embodiments, a Resistin antibody comprises a light chain selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:178, SEQ ID NO:182, SEQ ID NO:186, SEQ ID NO:190, SEQ ID NO:194, SEQ ID NO:198, SEQ ID NO:202, SEQ ID NO:206, SEQ ID NO:210, SEQ ID NO:214, SEQ ID NO:218, SEQ ID NO:222, SEQ ID NO:226, SEQ ID NO:230, SEQ ID NO:234, SEQ ID NO:238, and SEQ ID NO: 242. In further embodiments, the present invention provides a Resistin antibody comprising (a) a heavy chain selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:176, SEQ ID NO:180, SEQ ID NO:184, SEQ ID NO:188, SEQ ID NO:192, SEQ ID NO:196, SEQ ID NO:200, SEQ ID NO:204, SEQ ID NO:208, SEQ ID NO:212, SEQ ID NO:216, SEQ ID NO:220, SEQ ID NO:224, SEQ ID NO:228, SEQ ID NO:232, SEQ ID NO:236, and SEQ ID NO:240 and (b) a light chain selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:178, SEQ ID NO:182, SEQ ID NO:186, SEQ ID NO:190, SEQ ID NO:194, SEQ ID NO:198, SEQ ID NO:202, SEQ ID NO:206, SEQ ID NO:210, SEQ ID NO:214, SEQ ID NO:218, SEQ ID NO:222, SEQ ID NO:226, SEQ ID NO:230, SEQ ID NO:234, SEQ ID NO:238, and SEQ ID NO: 242.

In several embodiments, the present invention provides Resistin antibodies that are also cross-reactive with Resistin Like Molecule Beta (RELMβ). In other embodiments, Resistin scfv are also cross-reactive with RELMβ. In further embodiments, the antibodies and/or fragments thereof are recombinant.

In another aspect, the present invention provides methods for using the antibodies described herein. In particular embodiments, the present invention provides a method for treating a disease, disorder or condition mediated by human Resistin in a patient comprising the step of administering to the patient an antibody an scfv described herein. In specific embodiments, the disease, disorder or condition is one or more of pulmonary hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy and failure, asthma, lung inflammation, sepsis, acute lung injury, respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary fibrosis, scleroderma, arteriosclerosis, chronic obstructive lung disease/emphysema, normal and abnormal wound healing, cancer, cell proliferation, stem cell growth and differentiation, diabetic retinopathy, and insulin resistance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a graph showing the binding reactivity of Ab1 to human Resistin (hResistin) at absorbance 450 nm.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing the binding reactivity of Ab13 to human Resistin (hResistin) at absorbance 450 nm.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing the binding reactivity of Ab17 to human Resistin (hResistin) at absorbance 450 nm.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing the binding reactivity of Ab21 to human Resistin (hResistin) at absorbance 450 nm.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing the binding reactivity of Ab41 to human Resistin (hResistin) at absorbance 450 nm.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the binding reactivity of R&D Ab to human Resistin (hResistin) at absorbance 450 nm.

FIG. 7 is a graph comparing the antibody reactivity of all the antibodies with 25 ng/ml hResistin. R&D Ab at 1 μg/ml; all other Abs 5 μg/ml; values at 1 μg/ml R&D antibody used as value at 2 μg/ml is beyond absorbance range for the assay.

FIG. 8 shows the plate layout for the hResistin antibody screen of Ab1, Ab13, Ab17, Ab21, Ab31 and R&D antibody. A-5, B-2, C-1, and D-0.5 μg/ml Ab concentrations.

FIG. 9 shows the plate layout and resulting absorbance measurements for the hResistin antibody screen of Ab1, Ab13, Ab17, Ab21, Ab31 and R&D antibody.

FIG. 10 shows the constructs for human IgG1. CH123 is the heavy constant region. CK is the light constant region.

FIG. 11 is a table showing a quality control rIgG ELISA of 17 anti-human Resistin IgGs.

FIG. 12 is a table showing ELISA results.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methods and components, etc., described herein, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to a “protein” is a reference to one or more proteins, and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art and so forth.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Specific methods, devices, and materials are described, although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention.

All publications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference including all journal articles, books, manuals, published patent applications, and issued patents. In addition, the meaning of certain terms and phrases employed in the specification, examples, and appended claims are provided. The definitions are not meant to be limiting in nature and serve to provide a clearer understanding of certain aspects of the present invention.

I. Definitions

The term “amino acid” refers to naturally occurring and synthetic amino acids, as well as amino acid analogs and amino acid mimetics that function in a manner similar to the naturally occurring amino acids. Naturally occurring amino acids are those encoded by the genetic code, as well as those amino acids that are later modified, for example, hydroxyproline, gamma-carboxyglutamate, and O-phosphoserine, phosphothreonine.

An “amino acid analog” refers to a compound that has the same basic chemical structure as a naturally occurring amino acid, i.e., a carbon that is bound to a hydrogen, a carboxyl group, an amino group, and an R group (e.g., homoserine, norleucine, methionine sulfoxide, methionine methyl sulfonium), but that contains some alteration not found in a naturally occurring amino acid (e.g., a modified side chain). Amino acids and analogs are well known in the art. Amino acids may be referred to herein by either their commonly known three letter symbols or by the one-letter symbols recommended by the IUPAC-IUB Biochemical Nomenclature Commission. Nucleotides, likewise, may be referred to by their commonly accepted single-letter codes. The term “amino acid mimetic” refers to chemical compounds that have a structure that is different from the general chemical structure of an amino acid, but that function in a manner similar to a naturally occurring amino acid. Amino acid analogs may have modified R groups (for example, norleucine) or modified peptide backbones, but retain the same basic chemical structure as a naturally occurring amino acid. In certain embodiments, an amino acid analog is a D-amino acid, a beta-amino acid, or an N-methyl amino acid.

By “antibody” is meant any immunoglobulin polypeptide, or fragment thereof, having immunogen binding ability. As used herein, the terms “antibody fragments”, “fragment”, or “fragment thereof” refer to a portion of an intact antibody. Examples of antibody fragments include, but are not limited to, linear antibodies; single-chain antibody molecules; Fc or Fc′ peptides, Fab and Fab fragments, and multispecific antibodies formed from antibody fragments. In most embodiments, the terms also refer to fragments that bind an antigen of a target molecule (e.g., Resistin) and can be referred to as “antigen-binding fragments.”

The term “conjugate” refers to a complex of two molecules linked together, for example, linked together by a covalent bond. In one embodiment, an antibody is linked to an effector molecule; for example, an antibody that specifically binds to Resistin covalently linked to an effector molecule. The linkage can be by chemical or recombinant means. In one embodiment, the linkage is chemical, wherein a reaction between the antibody moiety and the effector molecule has produced a covalent bond formed between the two molecules to form one molecule. A peptide linker (short peptide sequence) can optionally be included between the antibody and the effector molecule. Because conjugates can be prepared from two molecules with separate functionalities, such as an antibody and an effector molecule, they are also sometimes referred to as “chimeric molecules.”

The terms “conjugating,” “joining,” “bonding,” “labeling” or “linking” refer to making two molecules into one contiguous molecule; for example, linking two polypeptides into one contiguous polypeptide, or covalently attaching an effector molecule or detectable marker radionuclide or other molecule to a polypeptide, such as an scFv. In the specific context, the terms include reference to joining a ligand, such as an antibody moiety, to an effector molecule. The linkage can be either by chemical or recombinant means. “Chemical means” refers to a reaction between the antibody moiety and the effector molecule such that there is a covalent bond formed between the two molecules to form one molecule.

Conservative variants: “Conservative” amino acid substitutions are those substitutions that do not substantially decrease the binding affinity of an antibody for an antigen (for example, the binding affinity of an antibody for Resistin). For example, a human antibody that specifically binds Resistin can include at most about 1, at most about 2, at most about 5, at most about 10, or at most about 1 5 conservative substitutions and specifically bind the Resistin polypeptide. The term conservative variation also includes the use of a substituted amino acid in place of an unsubstituted parent amino acid, provided that antibody retains binding affinity for Resistin. Non-conservative substitutions are those that reduce an activity or binding to Resistin.

Conservative amino acid substitution tables providing functionally similar amino acids are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art. The following six groups are examples of amino acids that are considered to be conservative substitutions for one another: 1) Alanine (A), Serine (S), Threonine (T);

-   -   2) Aspartic acid (D), Glutamic acid (E);     -   3) Asparagine (N), Glutamine (Q);     -   4) Arginine (I), Lysine ( );     -   5) Isoleucine (I), Leucine (L), Methionine (M), Valine (V); and     -   6) Phenylalanine (F), Tyrosine (Y), Tryptophan (W).

An “effector molecule” means a molecule intended to have or produce a desired effect; for example, a desired effect on a cell to which the effector molecule is targeted. Effector molecules include such molecules as polypeptides, radioisotopes and small molecules. Non-limiting examples of effector molecules include toxins, chemotherapeutic agents and anti-angiogenic agents. The skilled artisan will understand that some effector molecules may have or produce more than one desired effect. In one example, an effector molecule is the portion of a chimeric molecule, for example a chimeric molecule that includes a disclosed antibody or fragment thereof, that is intended to have a desired effect on a cell to which the chimeric molecule is targeted.

The term “epitope” or “antigenic determinant” are used interchangeably herein and refer to that portion of an antigen capable of being recognized and specifically bound by a particular antibody. When the antigen is a polypeptide, epitopes can be formed both from contiguous amino acids and noncontiguous amino acids juxtaposed by tertiary folding of a protein. Epitopes formed from contiguous amino acids are typically retained upon protein denaturing, whereas epitopes formed by tertiary folding are typically lost upon protein denaturing. An epitope typically includes at least 3, and more usually, at least 5 or 8-10 amino acids in a unique spatial conformation. An antigenic determinant can compete with the intact antigen (i.e., the “immunogen” used to elicit the immune response) for binding to an antibody.

By “an effective amount” is meant the amount of a required to ameliorate the symptoms of a disease relative to an untreated patient. The effective amount of active compound(s) used to practice the present invention for therapeutic treatment of a vascular disease varies depending upon the manner of administration, the age, body weight, and general health of the subject. Ultimately, the attending physician or veterinarian will decide the appropriate amount and dosage regimen. Such amount is referred to as an “effective” amount.

An “expression vector” is a nucleic acid construct, generated recombinantly or synthetically, bearing a series of specified nucleic acid elements that enable transcription of a particular gene in a host cell. Typically, gene expression is placed under the control of certain regulatory elements, including constitutive or inducible promoters, tissue-preferred regulatory elements, and enhancers.

By “fragment” is meant a portion (e.g., at least about 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 125, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, or 500 amino acids or nucleic acids) of a protein or nucleic acid molecule that is substantially identical to a reference protein or nucleic acid and retains at least one biological activity of the reference. In some embodiments the portion retains at least 50%, 75%, or 80%, or more preferably 90%, 95%, or even 99% of the biological activity of the reference protein or nucleic acid described herein.

A “host cell” is any prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell that contains either a cloning vector or an expression vector. This term also includes those prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells that have been genetically engineered to contain the cloned gene(s) in the chromosome or genome of the host cell.

As used herein, “humanized” forms of non-human (e.g., murine) antibodies are chimeric antibodies that contain minimal sequence, or no sequence, derived from non-human immunoglobulin. For the most part, humanized antibodies are human immunoglobulins (recipient antibody) in which residues from a hypervariable region of the recipient are replaced by residues from a hypervariable region of a non-human species (donor antibody) such as mouse, rat, rabbit or nonhuman primate having the desired specificity, affinity, and capacity. In some instances, Fv framework region (FR) residues of the human immunoglobulin are replaced by corresponding non-human residues. Furthermore, humanized antibodies can comprise residues that are not found in the recipient antibody or in the donor antibody. These modifications are generally made to further refine antibody performance. In general, the humanized antibody will comprise substantially all of at least one, and typically two, variable domains, in which all or substantially all of the hypervariable loops correspond to those of a nonhuman immunoglobulin and all or substantially all of the FR residues are those of a human immunoglobulin sequence. The humanized antibody can also comprise at least a portion of an immunoglobulin constant region (Fc), typically that of a human immunoglobulin. Examples of methods used to generate humanized antibodies are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,539.

The term “human antibody” as used herein means an antibody produced by a human or an antibody having an amino acid sequence corresponding to an antibody produced by a human made using any of the techniques known in the art. This definition of a human antibody includes intact or full-length antibodies, fragments thereof, and/or antibodies comprising at least one human heavy and/or light chain polypeptide such as, for example, an antibody comprising murine light chain and human heavy chain polypeptides.

“Hybrid antibodies” are immunoglobulin molecules in which pairs of heavy and light chains from antibodies with different antigenic determinant regions are assembled together so that two different epitopes or two different antigens can be recognized and bound by the resulting tetramer.

The terms “isolated,” “purified,” or “biologically pure” refer to material that is free to varying degrees from components which normally accompany it as found in its native state. Various levels of purity may be applied as needed according to this invention in the different methodologies set forth herein; the customary purity standards known in the art may be used if no standard is otherwise specified. Indeed, the term “purified” does not require the material to be present in a form exhibiting absolute purity, exclusive of the presence of other compounds. Thus, isolated nucleic acids, peptides and proteins include nucleic acids and proteins purified by standard purification methods. The term also embraces nucleic acids, peptides and proteins prepared by recombinant expression in a host cell, as well as, chemically synthesized nucleic acids. A isolated nucleic acid, peptide or protein, for example an antibody, can be at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% pure.

By “modulation” is meant a change (increase or decrease) in the expression level or biological activity of a gene or polypeptide as detected by standard methods known in the art. As used herein, modulation includes at least about 10% change, 25%, 40%, 50% or a greater change in expression levels or biological activity (e.g., about 75%, 85%, 95% or more).

The term “mimetic” means an agent having a structure that is different from the general chemical structure of a reference agent, but that has at least one biological function of the reference.

The term “neutralizing antibody” refers to an antibody that is able to specifically bind to a target protein in such a way as to inhibit a biological function associated with that target protein. In general, any protein that can perform this type of specific blocking activity is considered a neutralizing protein; neutralizing antibodies are therefore a specific class of neutralizing protein.

The term “nucleic acid” refers to an oligomer or polymer of ribonucleic acid or deoxyribonucleic acid, or analog thereof. This term includes oligomers consisting of naturally occurring bases, sugars, and intersugar (backbone) linkages as well as oligomers having non-naturally occurring portions which function similarly. Such modified or substituted oligonucleotides are often preferred over native forms because of properties such as, for example, enhanced stability in the presence of nucleases.

Specific examples of some nucleic acids envisioned for this invention may contain phosphorothioates, phosphotriesters, methyl phosphonates, short chain alkyl or cycloalkyl intersugar linkages or short chain heteroatomic or heterocyclic intersugar linkages. Also preferred are oligonucleotides having morpholino backbone structures (Summerton, J. E. and Weller, D. D., U.S. Pat. No. 5,034,506). In other preferred embodiments, such as the protein-nucleic acid (PNA) backbone, the phosphodiester backbone of the oligonucleotide may be replaced with a polyamide backbone, the bases being bound directly or indirectly to the aza nitrogen atoms of the polyamide backbone (P. E. Nielsen et al. Science 199: 254, 1997). Other preferred oligonucleotides may contain alkyl and halogen-substituted sugar moieties comprising one of the following at the 2′ position: OH, SH, SCH₃, F, OCN, O(CH₂)_(n)NH₂ or O(CH₂)_(n)CH₃, where n is from 1 to about 10; C₁ to C₁₀ lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, alkaryl or aralkyl; Cl; Br; CN; CF₃; OCF₃; O-, S-, or N-alkyl; O-, S-, or N-alkenyl; SOCH₃; SO₂CH₃; ONO₂; NO₂; N₃; NH₂; heterocycloalkyl; heterocycloalkaryl; aminoalkylamino; polyalkylamino; substituted silyl; an RNA cleaving group; a conjugate; a reporter group; an intercalator; a group for improving the pharmacokinetic properties of an oligonucleotide; or a group for improving the pharmacodynamic properties of an oligonucleotide and other substituents having similar properties. Oligonucleotides may also have sugar mimetics such as cyclobutyls in place of the pentofuranosyl group. Other preferred embodiments may include at least one modified base form. Some specific examples of such modified bases include 2-(amino)adenine, 2-(methylamino)adenine, 2-(imidazolylalkyl)adenine, 2-(aminoalklyamino)adenine, or other heterosubstituted alkyladenines.

The term “operably linked” means that a first polynucleotide is positioned adjacent to a second polynucleotide that directs transcription of the first polynucleotide when appropriate molecules (e.g., transcriptional activator proteins) are bound to the second polynucleotide.

By “recombinant” is meant the product of genetic engineering or chemical synthesis. By “positioned for expression” is meant that the polynucleotide of the present invention (e.g., a DNA molecule) is positioned adjacent to a DNA sequence that directs transcription and translation of the sequence (i.e., facilitates the production of, for example, a recombinant protein of the present invention, or an RNA molecule).

The term “reference” means a standard or control condition.

The terms “specifically binds to,” “specific for,” and related grammatical variants refer to that binding which occurs between such paired species as antibody/antigen, aptamer/target, enzyme/substrate, receptor/agonist and lectin/carbohydrate which may be mediated by covalent or non-covalent interactions or a combination of covalent and non-covalent interactions. When the interaction of the two species produces a non-covalently bound complex, the binding which occurs is typically electrostatic, hydrogen-bonding, or the result of lipophilic interactions. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, “specific binding” occurs between a paired species where there is interaction between the two which produces a bound complex having the characteristics of, for example, an antibody/antigen. In particular, the specific binding is characterized by the binding of one member of a pair to a particular species and to no other species within the family of compounds to which the corresponding member of the binding member belongs. Thus, for example, an antibody typically binds to a single epitope and to no other epitope within the family of proteins. In some embodiments, specific binding between an antigen and an antibody will have a binding affinity of at least 10⁻⁶ M. In other embodiments, the antigen and antibody will bind with affinities of at least 10⁻⁷ M, 10⁻⁸ M to 10⁻⁹ M, 10⁻¹⁰ M, 10⁻¹¹ M, or 10⁻¹² M. In certain embodiments, the term refers to a molecule (e.g., an antibody) that binds to a target (e.g., Resistin) with at least five-fold greater affinity as compared to any non-targets, e.g., at least 10-, 20-, 50-, or 100-fold greater affinity.

By “subject” is meant a mammal, including, but not limited to, a human or non-human mammal, such as a bovine, equine, canine, ovine, or feline.

By “substantially identical” is meant a protein or nucleic acid molecule exhibiting at least 50% identity to a reference amino acid sequence (for example, any one of the amino acid sequences described herein) or nucleic acid sequence (for example, any one of the nucleic acid sequences described herein). Preferably, such a sequence is at least 60%, more preferably 80% or 85%, and most preferably 90%, 95% or even 99% identical at the amino acid level or nucleic acid to the sequence used for comparison.

Sequence identity is typically measured using sequence analysis software (for example, Sequence Analysis Software Package of the Genetics Computer Group, University of Wisconsin Biotechnology Center, 1710 University Avenue, Madison, Wis. 53705, BLAST, BESTFIT, GAP, or PILEUP/PRETTYBOX programs). Such software matches identical or similar sequences by assigning degrees of homology to various substitutions, deletions, and/or other modifications. Conservative substitutions typically include substitutions within the following groups: glycine, alanine; valine, isoleucine, leucine; aspartic acid, glutamic acid, asparagine, glutamine; serine, threonine; lysine, arginine; and phenylalanine, tyrosine. In an exemplary approach to determining the degree of identity, a BLAST program may be used, with a probability score between e.sup.-3 and e.sup.-100 indicating a closely related sequence.

By “transformed cell” is meant a cell into which (or into an ancestor of which) has been introduced, by means of recombinant DNA techniques, a polynucleotide molecule encoding (as used herein) a protein of the present invention.

II. Antibodies to Resistin and Resistin-Like Molecule Beta (RELMB)

The present invention provides antibodies to Resistin. In some embodiments, the antibodies are also cross-reactive with Resistin-Like Molecule Beta (RELMB). An “antibody” is a polypeptide ligand including at least the complementarity determining regions (CDRs) of a light chain or heavy chain immunoglobulin variable region which specifically binds an epitope of an antigen or a fragment thereof. Antibodies include intact immunoglobulins and the variants of them well known in the art, such as Fab′, F(ab)′2 fragments, single chain Fv proteins (scFv), and disulfide stabilized Fv proteins (dsFv). A scFvprotein is a fusion protein in which a light chain variable region of an antibody and a heavy chain variable region of an antibody are bound by a linker, while in dsFvs, the chains have been mutated to introduce a disulfide bond to stabilize the association of the chains. The term “antibody” also includes genetically engineered forms such as chimeric antibodies (for example, humanized murine antibodies) and heteroconjugate antibodies (such as, bispecific antibodies).

Typically, a naturally occurring immunoglobulin has heavy (H) chains and light (L) chains interconnected by disulfide bonds. There are two types of light chains, lambda (λ) and kappa (κ). There are five main heavy chain classes (or isotypes) which determine the functional activity of an antibody molecule: IgM, IgD, IgG, IgA and IgE.

Each heavy and light chain contains a constant region and a variable region (the regions are also known as domains). References to “VH” or “VH” refer to the variable region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain, including that of an Fv, scFv, dsFv or Fab. References to “VL” or “VL” refer to the variable region of an immunoglobulin light chain, including that of an Fv, scFv, dsFv or Fab. In combination, the heavy and the light chain variable regions specifically bind the antigen. Light and heavy chain variable regions contain a framework region interrupted by three hypervariable regions, also called complementarity-determining regions or CDRs. The extent of the framework region and CDRs have been defined (see, for example, Kabat et al., (1991) Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, 5lh Edition, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md. (NIH Publication No. 91-3242), which is hereby incorporated by reference). The sequences of the framework regions of different light or heavy chains are relatively conserved within a species. The framework region of an antibody, that is the combined framework regions of the constituent light and heavy chains, serves to position and align the CDRs in three-dimensional space.

The CDRs are primarily responsible for binding to an epitope of an antigen. The precise amino acid sequence boundaries of a given CDR can be readily determined using any of a number of well-known schemes, including those described by Kabat et al. (1991), “Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest,” 5th Ed. Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md. (“Kabat” numbering scheme), and Al-Lazikani et al., (1997) JMB 273,927-948 (“Chothia” numbering scheme). The CDRs of each chain are typically referred to as CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3, numbered sequentially starting from the N-terminus, and are also typically identified by the chain in which the particular CDR is located. Thus, a HCDR1 is the CDR 1 from the variable domain of the heavy chain of the antibody in which it is found, whereas a LCDR 1 is the CDR1 from the variable domain of the light chain of the antibody in which it is found. An antibody that specifically binds an antigen of interest has a specific VH region and VL region sequence, and thus specific CDR sequences. Antibodies with different specificities (due to different combining sites for different antigens) have different CDRs. Although it is the CDRs that vary from antibody to antibody, only a limited number of amino acid positions within the CDRs are directly involved in antigen binding. These positions within the CDRs are called specificity determining residues (SDRs).

A single-chain antibody (scFv) is a genetically engineered molecule containing the VH and VL domains of one or more antibody(ies) linked by a suitable polypeptide linker as a genetically fused single chain molecule. Diabodies are bivalent, bispecific antibodies in which VH and VL domains are expressed on a single polypeptide chain, but using a linker that is too short to allow for pairing between the two domains on the same chain, thereby forcing the domains to pair with complementary domains of another chain and creating two antigen binding sites. A chimeric antibody is an antibody that contains one or more regions from one antibody and one or more regions from one or more other antibodies. An antibody may have one or more binding sites. If there is more than one binding site, the binding sites may be identical to one another or may be different. For instance, a naturally-occurring immunoglobulin has two identical binding sites, a single-chain antibody or Fab fragment has one binding site, while a bispecific or bifunctional antibody has two different binding sites.

The antibodies disclosed herein specifically bind only to a defined target (or multiple targets, in the case of a bi-specific antibody). Thus, an antibody that specifically binds to Resistin is an antibody that binds substantially to Resistin, including cells or tissue expressing Resistin, substrate to which the Resistin is attached, or Resistin in a biological specimen. It is, of course, recognized that a certain degree of non-specific interaction may occur between an antibody or conjugate including an antibody (such as an antibody that specifically binds Resistin or conjugate including such antibody) and a non-target (such as a cell that does not express Resistin). Typically, specific binding results in a much stronger association between the antibody and protein or cells bearing the antigen than between the antibody and protein or cells lacking the antigen. Specific binding typically results in greater than 2-fold, such as greater than 5-fold, greater than 10-fold, or greater than 100-fold increase in amount of bound antibody (per unit time) to a protein including the epitope or cell or tissue expressing the target epitope as compared to a protein or cell or tissue lacking this epitope.

In one embodiment, an antibody that binds Resistin is monoclonal. Alternatively, the Resistin antibody is a polyclonal antibody. The preparation and use of polyclonal antibodies are also known the skilled artisan. The present invention also encompasses hybrid antibodies, in which one pair of heavy and light chains is obtained from a first antibody, while the other pair of heavy and light chains is obtained from a different second antibody. Such hybrids may also be formed using humanized heavy and light chains. Such antibodies are often referred to as “chimeric” antibodies.

In general, intact antibodies are said to contain “Fc” and “Fab” regions. The Fc regions are involved in complement activation and are not involved in antigen binding. An antibody from which the Fc′ region has been enzymatically cleaved, or which has been produced without the Fc′ region, designated an “F(abα)₂” fragment, retains both of the antigen binding sites of the intact antibody. Similarly, an antibody from which the Fc region has been enzymatically cleaved, or which has been produced without the Fc region, designated an “Fab′” fragment, retains one of the antigen binding sites of the intact antibody. Fabα fragments consist of a covalently bound antibody light chain and a portion of the antibody heavy chain, denoted “Fd.” The Fd fragments are the major determinants of antibody specificity (a single Fd fragment may be associated with up to ten different light chains without altering antibody specificity). Isolated Fd fragments retain the ability to specifically bind to immunogenic epitopes.

Monoclonal antibodies can be prepared using hybridoma methods, such as those described by Kohler and Milstein (1975) Nature 256:495. Using the hybridoma method, a mouse, hamster, or other appropriate host animal, is immunized as described above to elicit the production by lymphocytes of antibodies that will specifically bind to an immunizing antigen. Alternatively, lymphocytes can be immunized in vitro. Following immunization, the lymphocytes are isolated and fused with a suitable myeloma cell line using, for example, polyethylene glycol, to form hybridoma cells that can then be selected away from unfused lymphocytes and myeloma cells. Hybridomas that produce monoclonal antibodies directed specifically against a chosen antigen as determined by immunoprecipitation, immunoblotting, or by an in vitro binding assay such as radioimmunoassay (RIA) or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) can then be propagated either in vitro culture using standard methods (Goding, Monoclonal Antibodies: Principles and Practice, Academic Press, 1986) or in vivo as ascites tumors in an animal. The monoclonal antibodies can then be purified from the culture medium or ascites fluid as described for polyclonal antibodies above.

Alternatively monoclonal antibodies can also be made using recombinant DNA methods as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567. The polynucleotides encoding a monoclonal antibody are isolated, such as from mature B-cells or hybridoma cell, such as by RT-PCR using oligonucleotide primers that specifically amplify the genes encoding the heavy and light chains of the antibody, and their sequence is determined using conventional procedures. The isolated polynucleotides encoding the heavy and light chains are then cloned into suitable expression vectors, which when transfected into host cells such as E. coli cells, simian COS cells, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, or myeloma cells that do not otherwise produce immunoglobulin protein, monoclonal antibodies are generated by the host cells. Also, recombinant monoclonal antibodies or fragments thereof of the desired species can be isolated from phage display libraries as described (McCafferty et al., 1990, Nature, 348:552-554; Clackson et al., 1991, Nature, 352:624-628; and Marks et al., 1991, J. Mol. Biol., 222:581-597).

The polynucleotide(s) encoding a monoclonal antibody can further be modified in a number of different ways using recombinant DNA technology to generate alternative antibodies. In one embodiment, the constant domains of the light and heavy chains of, for example, a mouse monoclonal antibody can be substituted 1) for those regions of, for example, a human antibody to generate a chimeric antibody or 2) for a non-immunoglobulin polypeptide to generate a fusion antibody. In other embodiments, the constant regions are truncated or removed to generate the desired antibody fragment of a monoclonal antibody. Furthermore, site-directed or high-density mutagenesis of the variable region can be used to optimize specificity, affinity, etc. of a monoclonal antibody.

In some embodiments, of the present invention the monoclonal antibody against Resistin is a humanized antibody. Humanized antibodies are antibodies that contain minimal sequences from non-human (e.g., murine) antibodies within the variable regions. In practice, humanized antibodies are typically human antibodies with minimum to no non-human sequences. A human antibody is an antibody produced by a human or an antibody having an amino acid sequence corresponding to an antibody produced by a human.

Humanized antibodies can be produced using various techniques known in the art. An antibody can be humanized by substituting the CDR of a human antibody with that of a non-human antibody (e.g., mouse, rat, rabbit, hamster, etc.) having the desired specificity, affinity, and capability (Jones et al., 1986, Nature, 321:522-525; Riechmann et al., 1988, Nature, 332:323-327; Verhoeyen et al., 1988, Science, 239:1534-1536). The humanized antibody can be further modified by the substitution of additional residue either in the Fv framework region and/or within the replaced non-human residues to refine and optimize antibody specificity, affinity, and/or capability.

Human antibodies can be directly prepared using various techniques known in the art. Immortalized human B lymphocytes immunized in vitro or isolated from an immunized individual that produce an antibody directed against a target antigen can be generated (See, for example, Cole et al., Monoclonal Antibodies and Cancer Therapy, Alan R. Liss, p. 77 (1985); Boerner et al., 1991, J. Immunol., 147 (1):86-95; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,750,373). Also, the human antibody can be selected from a phage library, where that phage library expresses human antibodies (Vaughan et al., 1996, Nature Biotechnology, 14:309-314; Sheets et al., 1998, PNAS, 95:6157-6162; Hoogenboom and Winter, 1991, J. Mol. Biol., 227:381; Marks et al., 1991, J. Mol. Biol., 222:581). Humanized antibodies can also be made in transgenic mice containing human immunoglobulin loci that are capable upon immunization of producing the full repertoire of human antibodies in the absence of endogenous immunoglobulin production. This approach is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,545,807; 5,545,806; 5,569,825; 5,625,126; 5,633,425; and 5,661,016.

In certain embodiments of the invention, it may be desirable to use an antibody fragment, rather than an intact antibody. Various techniques are known for the production of antibody fragments. Traditionally, these fragments are derived via proteolytic digestion of intact antibodies (for example Morimoto et al., 1993, Journal of Biochemical and Biophysical Methods 24:107-117 and Brennan et al., 1985, Science, 229:81). However, these fragments are now typically produced directly by recombinant host cells as described above. Thus Fab, Fv, and scFv antibody fragments can all be expressed in and secreted from E. coli or other host cells, thus allowing the production of large amounts of these fragments. Alternatively, such antibody fragments can be isolated from the antibody phage libraries discussed above. The antibody fragment can also be linear antibodies as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,870, for example, and can be monospecific or bispecific. Other techniques for the production of antibody fragments will be apparent.

The present invention further embraces variants and equivalents which are substantially homologous to the chimeric, humanized and human antibodies, or antibody fragments thereof, set forth herein. These can contain, for example, conservative substitution mutations, i.e., the substitution of one or more amino acids by similar amino acids. For example, conservative substitution refers to the substitution of an amino acid with another within the same general class such as, for example, one acidic amino acid with another acidic amino acid, one basic amino acid with another basic amino acid or one neutral amino acid by another neutral amino acid. What is intended by a conservative amino acid substitution is well known in the art.

Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art, using the preceding description, can utilize the present invention to the fullest extent. The following examples are illustrative only, and not limiting of the remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are put forth so as to provide those of ordinary skill in the art with a complete disclosure and description of how the compounds, compositions, articles, devices, and/or methods described and claimed herein are made and evaluated, and are intended to be purely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of what the inventors regard as their invention. Efforts have been made to ensure accuracy with respect to numbers (e.g., amounts, temperature, etc.) but some errors and deviations should be accounted for herein. Unless indicated otherwise, parts are parts by weight, temperature is in degrees Celsius or is at ambient temperature, and pressure is at or near atmospheric. There are numerous variations and combinations of reaction conditions, e.g., component concentrations, desired solvents, solvent mixtures, temperatures, pressures and other reaction ranges and conditions that can be used to optimize the product purity and yield obtained from the described process. Only reasonable and routine experimentation will be required to optimize such process conditions.

Example 1: Human Resistin Antibody Screen (ELISA)

Purpose. Screen five candidate antibodies to human resistin for prospect at use in neutralization experiments against human resistin.

Background A direct-coat ELISA was performed (resistin coated to wells of plate, then run antibodies against immobilized antigen, see Protocol 1), identifying 12 antibodies to have “positive” reactivity, albeit to varying degree. From these 12, five have been selected for further analysis (all 17 candidate antibodies showed some level of success in binding human resistin, via immunoprecipitation); these five are those showing highest positive reactivity in the matrix: Ab1, Ab13, Ab17, Ab21, and Ab41. For potential as neutralizing antibodies, recognition of immobilized antigen is not sufficient. Direct evaluation of the antibodies with neutralization experiments are costly and can be inefficient as controls become detailed; thus, sandwich-type ELISA becomes a valid tool for evaluating which antibodies may be best suited for further analysis. Furthermore, this ELISA assay should provide useful information with regard to effective concentration(s) of the tested antibodies against a standard human resistin protein.

General Description of ELISA. Indirect ELISA utilizes a set of two antibodies that recognize the target antigen arranged such that one antibody (capture antibody) is pre-adsorbed to the wells of a 96-well plate. A solution containing the antigen of interest is passed over the adsorbed capture antibody and some amount of antigen is usually removed from solution. The second antibody recognizing the antigen of interest is then added to the wells, and again some level of previously captured antigen is recognized by this second (detection antibody) antibody. Finally, a secondary antibody (commonly HRP tagged) that recognized the host species for production of the detection antibody is added to the wells, and substrate added for eventual quantification. There are several variations to this method.

Points of Note:

*It is imperative that the capture and detection antibodies are a “matched pair” in that they do not compete with one another for binding the target antigen, as this would deliver a false negative reading. Indirect/sandwich type ELISA kits from commercial sources have been vetted for this condition and will be labeled as such. Additionally, if the capture and detection antibody are from monoclonal and polyclonal sources, it is most common to use the monoclonal for capture, and the polyclonal as the detection antibody for maximum specificity.

*In the case of utilization of the indirect/sandwich ELISA for evaluation of a capture/detection antibody, it is possible to use a non-antigen specific antibody paired with the antibody under evaluation. For example, if the antigen can be had in a FLAG or HIS tag, or something similar, and provided the antibody under evaluation binding is not interrupted by the presence of such a tag or addition, then the second antibody (commonly the detection antibody) can be directed toward this additional motif (FLAG, HIS). This allows evaluation of antibodies without having to have more than one antibody directed toward the target antigen. Caution must be exercised here with regard to adequate controls for non-specific binding (wells with no capture antibody, wells with no antigen solution, wells with no detection antibody, etc.).

Specific Background on this ELISA:

Using part of R&D Systems Six-Pack (Cat #SRSN00; R&D Protocol):

-   -   Wash Buffer Concentrate #895003 (20 mL diluted to 500 mL with DI         H2O)     -   hResistin standard #892671 (reconstituted with 1.0 mL DI H2O as         per R&D Protocol)     -   hResistin conjugate #892670 (used as detection antibody as         packaged)     -   Substrate solution #895000 and 895001 (11 mL each Solution A and         B, mixed and used within 15 minutes as per R&D Protocol)     -   Stop Solution #895032 (used as packaged as per R&D Protocol)

For comparison, using a commercial monoclonal Ms anti-huRes (R&D #13591 clone 184305) as one of coated capture antibodies

96-well plate from R&D: #DY990, Lot 301409

Using range of resistin concentrations (normal is 25-50 ng/mL) to show effectiveness in detecting within, above, and below normal range.

Protocol:

Day 1:

1. Prepare ELISA coating buffer:

-   -   0.05 M Na2CO3/NaHCO₃ (in one embodiment, 0.05 M is used;         0.05-0.1 M is common range)     -   2.173 g Na2CO3     -   3.528 g NaHCO₃     -   Dissolve both in 1 L beaker, ˜700 mL DI H₂O. Correct pH to ˜9.5         (9.51)     -   Q.S. to 1 L, re-check and adjust pH (9.54, 9.51 final)     -   Transfer to 1 L bottle, label, store at 4 C (Cold Room)

2. Prepare dilutions of 5 candidate capture antibodies (Ab1, Ab13, Ab17, Ab21, Ab41) for final concentrations: 5, 2, 1, 0.5 g/mL (Range is 1-12 g/mL in commercial kits, but for testing purposes and as some antibody quantities are limited, used 0.5-5 g/mL; 0.5-1.0 mL each prepared: 4 wells per concentration, 100 L/wl). Also made R&D Ab at 2, 1, 0.5 g/mL (leave 4 wells for ‘blank,’ see Plate Layout).

3. Add 100 L/well as per Plate Layout, each of 4 candidate antibodies at 4 dilutions in 4 wells each; Comparison R&D antibody at 3 dilutions in 4 wells each. Column 12, rows A-D left blank, loaded only coating buffer. *Used eppendorf repeating pipette for delivery of solutions.

4. Covered with sealing adhesive strip, put on rotator in cold room at 4° C. overnight.

Day 2:

5. Remove coating antibody and solution by inverting in sink, then wash 4 times with wash buffer, removing all liquid each time. After final rinse, invert on paper towels to blot excess liquid before adding Blocking Solution.

6. Add 250 L Blocking Solution: 2% BSA (w/v) in PBS-T (PBS [Commercial, Gibco] with 0.05% Tween 20). Cover with new sealing adhesive strip, block overnight at 4 C in cold room on rotator again.

*In some embodiments, probably not necessary to block overnight, was due to concurrent experiments in this case; 2 h at RT to overnight at 4 C is acceptable.

Day 3:

7. Set up dilutions of hResistin standard protein (as directed in R&D Protocol *Consult Protocol from R&D): 100, 25, 10, 1 ng/mL in PBST (See step 6 for preparation of PBST). Add 100 L each to appropriate wells (see plate layout). Add new sealing adhesive strip, incubate at room temperature 2 hours on rotator.

8. Remove hResistin protein and wash 4-5× as before. Add hRes conjugate antibody, 200 L/well ALL WELLS. Add new sealing adhesive strip, incubate at room temperature 2 hours on rotator. *With 5 minutes remaining, combine equal volumes of Substrate solution A and B, mix, let sit (must be used within 15 minutes of mixing) and protect from light.

9. Remove hResistin conjugate and wash 4-5× as above. Add 200 L/well ALL WELLS mixed Substrate Solution, cover with new adhesive sealing strip, tap sides gently to mix. Cover with foil to protect from light and place in drawer for 30 minutes.

10. Remove adhesive strip, add 50 L Stop Solution per well ALL WELLS, tap gently to mix. Read within 30 minutes at 450 and either 540 or 570 nm (subtract reading at 540 or 570 from 450 for correction).

Results

Antibodies 13, 17, 21, and 41 all show some reactivity in binding hResistin. Ab1 did not show sufficient reactivity to be considered above baseline. Overall, all five tested antibodies were far less competent in binding and pulling hResistin out of solution in comparison to the commercial R&D antibody.

FIGS. 1-6 show corrected absorbance at 450 nm of each of the five test and one comparison antibody, note that all test antibodies are shown with the same Z/Absorbance axis, but R&D antibody (FIG. 6) is much larger axis. FIG. 7 compares all six antibodies present on the plate, at maximum coating antibody concentration and at 25 ng/mL hResistin added (corresponds to maxima of most test antibodies; see individual figures).

Discussion

Antibodies 13, 17, 21, and 41 all show saturation in huRes binding at ˜25 ng/mL, with antibodies concentration at 5 g/mL.

Example 2: Convert Scfv into Fully Human IgG1

The seventeen scfv (nucleotide sequences found in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ ID NO:31, SEQ ID NO:41, SEQ ID NO:51, SEQ ID NO:61, SEQ ID NO:71, SEQ ID NO:81, SEQ ID NO:91, SEQ ID NO:101, SEQ ID NO:111, SEQ ID NO:121, SEQ ID NO:131, SEQ ID NO:141, SEQ ID NO:151 and SEQ ID NO:161; amino acid sequences found in SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ ID NO:32, SEQ ID NO:42, SEQ ID NO:52, SEQ ID NO:62, SEQ ID NO:72, SEQ ID NO:82, SEQ ID NO:92, SEQ ID NO:102, SEQ ID NO: 112, SEQ ID NO:122, SEQ ID NO:132, SEQ ID NO:142, SEQ ID NO:152, SEQ ID NO:162) converted into fully human IgG1. Briefly, the cDNA of the variable heavy (SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:23, SEQ ID NO:33, SEQ ID NO:43, SEQ ID NO:53, SEQ ID NO:63, SEQ ID NO:73, SEQ ID NO:83, SEQ ID NO:93, SEQ ID NO:103, SEQ ID NO: 113, SEQ ID NO:123, SEQ ID NO:133, SEQ ID NO: 143, SEQ ID NO:153, SEQ ID NO:163) and the variable light (SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO: 17, SEQ ID NO:27, SEQ ID NO:37, SEQ ID NO:47, SEQ ID NO:57, SEQ ID NO:67, SEQ ID NO:77, SEQ ID NO:87, SEQ ID NO:97, SEQ ID NO:107, SEQ ID NO:117, SEQ ID NO:127, SEQ ID NO:137, SEQ ID NO:147, SEQ ID NO:157, SEQ ID NO:167) were subcloned into an IgG-expressing vector. Two separate vectors for the light chain and heavy chain were used. The vectors were transiently transfected in 293 cells, and the expressed IgGs were purified with Protein A or G. The sequences for the heavy constant region are shown in SEQ ID NO:171 (nucleotide) and SEQ ID NO:172 (amino acid). The sequences for the light constant region are shown in SEQ ID NO:173 (nucleotide) and SEQ ID NO: 174 (amino acid). See also FIG. 10.

Example 3: rIgGs Show Cross-Reactivity to RELMβ

As shown in FIG. 11, the supernatant of cells expressing 17 rIgG was subjected to QC ELISA in which two targets were coated in parallel. As a result, 4 IgGs (Clones 1, 2, 13 and 18) bind to two targets positively. hRELMβ: 0.5 μg/well; hResistin: 5 μg/well; secondary antibody: FITC-goat anti-human IgG pAb. 

1-23. (canceled)
 24. A method for treating a disease, disorder or condition mediated by human Resistin in a patient comprising the step of administering to the patient an anti-Resistin antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprising a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region, wherein: (a) the heavy chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO:3 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acid positions of SEQ ID NO:3, and the light chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO:7 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acid positions of SEQ ID NO: 7; (b) the heavy chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO:13 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acid positions of SEQ ID NO:13, and the light chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO:17 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acid positions of SEQ ID NO:17; (c) the heavy chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO:23 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acid positions of SEQ ID NO:23, and the light chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO:27 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acid positions of SEQ ID NO:27; (d) the heavy chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO:33 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acid positions of SEQ ID NO:33 and the light chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO:37 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acid positions of SEQ ID NO:37; (e) the heavy chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO:43 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acid positions of SEO ID NO:43, and the light chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO:47 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acid positions of SEQ ID NO:47; (f) the heavy chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO:53 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acid positions of SEQ ID NO:53, and the light chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO:57 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acid positions of SEQ ID NO:57; (g) the heavy chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO:63 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acid positions of SEQ ID NO:63 and the light chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO:67 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acid positions of SEQ ID NO:67; (h) the heavy chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO:73 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acid positions of SEQ ID NO:73, and the light chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO:77 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acid positions of SEQ ID NO:77; (i) the heavy chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO:83 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acid positions of SEQ ID NO:83, and the light chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO:87 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acid positions of SEQ ID NO:87; (i) the heavy chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO:93 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acid positions of SEQ ID NO:93 and the light chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO:97 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acid positions of SEQ ID NO:97; (k) the heavy chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO:103 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acid positions of SEQ ID NO:103, and the light chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO:107 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acid positions of SEQ ID NO:107; (l) the heavy chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO:113 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acid positions of SEQ ID NO:113 and the light chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO:117 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acid positions of SEQ ID NO:117; (m) the heavy chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO:123 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acid positions of SEQ ID NO:123, and the light chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO:127 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acid positions of SEQ ID NO:127; (n) the heavy chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO:133 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acid positions of SEQ ID NO:133, and the light chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO:137 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acid positions of SEQ ID NO:137; (o) the heavy chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO:143 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acid positions of SEQ ID NO:143, and the light chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO:147 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acid positions of SEQ ID NO:147; (p) the heavy chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO:153 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acid positions of SEQ ID NO:153, and the light chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO:157 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acid positions of SEQ ID NO:157; or (q) the heavy chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO:163 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acid positions of SEQ ID NO:163 and the light chain variable region comprises SEQ ID NO:167 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acid positions of SEQ ID NO:167.
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the disease, disorder or condition is one or more of pulmonary hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy and failure, asthma, lung inflammation, sepsis, acute lung injury, respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary fibrosis, scleroderma, chronic obstructive lung disease/emphysema, normal and abnormal wound healing, cancer, cell proliferation, stem cell growth and differentiation, and diabetic retinopathy.
 26. The method of claim 24, wherein the anti-Resistin antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof further comprises a heavy chain constant region comprising SEQ ID NO:172 and a light chain constant region comprising SEQ ID NO:174.
 27. A method for treating a disease, disorder or condition mediated by human Resistin in a patient comprising the step of administering to the patient an anti-Resistin antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprising: (a) a heavy chain variable region comprising complementarity determining regions (CDRs) 1, 2 and 3 comprising SEQ ID NOS:4-6, respectively, or a conservative substitution at up to 2 amino acids of one or more of SEQ ID NOS:4-6, and a light chain variable region comprising CDRs 1, 2, and 3 comprising SEQ ID NOS:8-10, respectively, or a conservative substitution at up to 2 amino acids of one or more of SEQ ID NOS:8-10; (b) a heavy chain variable region comprising CDRs 1, 2 and 3 comprising SEQ ID NOS:14-16, respectively, or a conservative substitution at up to 2 amino acids of one or more of SEQ ID NOS:14-16, and a light chain variable region comprising CDRs 1, 2, and 3 comprising SEQ ID NOS:18-20, respectively, or a conservative substitution at up to 2 amino acids of one or more of SEQ ID NOS:18-20; (c) a heavy chain variable region comprising CDRs 1, 2 and 3 comprising SEQ ID NOS:24-26, respectively, or a conservative substitution at up to 2 amino acids of one or more of SEQ ID NOS:24-26, and a light chain variable region comprising CDRs 1, 2, and 3 comprising SEQ ID NOS:28-30, respectively, or a conservative substitution at up to 2 amino acids of one or more of SEQ ID NOS:28-30; (d) a heavy chain variable region comprising CDRs 1, 2 and 3 comprising SEQ ID NOS:34-36, respectively, or a conservative substitution at up to 2 amino acids of one or more of SEQ ID NOS:34-36, and a light chain variable region comprising CDRs 1, 2, and 3 comprising SEQ ID NOS:38-40, respectively, or a conservative substitution at up to 2 amino acids of one or more of SEQ ID NOS:38-40; (e) a heavy chain variable region comprising CDRs 1, 2 and 3 comprising SEQ ID NOS:44-46, respectively, or a conservative substitution at up to 2 amino acids of one or more of SEQ ID NOS:44-46, and a light chain variable region comprising CDRs 1, 2, and 3 comprising SEQ ID NOS:48-50, respectively, or a conservative substitution at up to 2 amino acids of one or more of SEQ ID NOS:48-50; (f) a heavy chain variable region comprising CDRs 1, 2 and 3 comprising SEQ ID NOS:54-56, respectively, or a conservative substitution at up to 2 amino acids of one or more of SEQ ID NOS:54-56, and a light chain variable region comprising CDRs 1, 2, and 3 comprising SEQ ID NOS:58-60, respectively, or a conservative substitution at up to 2 amino acids of one or more of SEQ ID NOS:58-60; (g) a heavy chain variable region comprising CDRs 1, 2 and 3 comprising SEQ ID NOS:64-66, respectively, or a conservative substitution at up to 2 amino acids of one or more of SEQ ID NOS:64-66, and a light chain variable region comprising CDRs 1, 2, and 3 comprising SEQ ID NOS:68-70, respectively, or a conservative substitution at up to 2 amino acids of one or more of SEQ ID NOS:68-70; (h) a heavy chain variable region comprising CDRs 1, 2 and 3 comprising SEQ ID NOS:74-76, respectively, or a conservative substitution at up to 2 amino acids of one or more of SEQ ID NOS:74-76, and a light chain variable region comprising CDRs 1, 2, and 3 comprising SEQ ID NOS:78-80, respectively, or a conservative substitution at up to 2 amino acids of one or more of SEQ ID NOS:78-80; (i) a heavy chain variable region comprising CDRs 1, 2 and 3 comprising SEQ ID NOS:84-86, respectively, or a conservative substitution at up to 2 amino acids of one or more of SEQ ID NOS:84-86, and a light chain variable region comprising CDRs 1, 2, and 3 comprising SEQ ID NOS:88-90, respectively, or a conservative substitution at up to 2 amino acids of one or more of SEQ ID NOS:88-90; (j) a heavy chain variable region comprising CDRs 1, 2 and 3 comprising SEQ ID NOS:94-96, respectively, or a conservative substitution at up to 2 amino acids of one or more of SEQ ID NOS:94-96, and a light chain variable region comprising CDRs 1, 2, and 3 comprising SEQ ID NOS:98-100, respectively, or a conservative substitution at up to 2 amino acids of one or more of SEQ ID NOS:98-100; (k) a heavy chain variable region comprising CDRs 1, 2 and 3 comprising SEQ ID NOS:104-106, respectively, or a conservative substitution at up to 2 amino acids of one or more of SEQ ID NOS:104-106, and a light chain variable region comprising CDRs 1, 2, and 3 comprising SEQ ID NOS:108-110, respectively, or a conservative substitution at up to 2 amino acids of one or more of SEQ ID NOS:108-110; (l) a heavy chain variable region comprising CDRs 1, 2 and 3 comprising SEQ ID NOS:114-116, respectively, or a conservative substitution at up to 2 amino acids of one or more of SEQ ID NOS:114-116, and a light chain variable region comprising CDRs 1, 2, and 3 comprising SEQ ID NOS:118-120, respectively, or a conservative substitution at up to 2 amino acids of one or more of SEQ ID NOS:118-120; (m) a heavy chain variable region comprising CDRs 1, 2 and 3 comprising SEQ ID NOS:124-126, respectively, or a conservative substitution at up to 2 amino acids of one or more of SEQ ID NOS:124-126, and a light chain variable region comprising CDRs 1, 2, and 3 comprising SEQ ID NOS:128-130, respectively, or a conservative substitution at up to 2 amino acids of one or more of SEQ ID NOS:128-130; (n) a heavy chain variable region comprising CDRs 1, 2 and 3 comprising SEQ ID NOS:134-136, respectively, or a conservative substitution at up to 2 amino acids of one or more of SEQ ID NOS:134-136, and a light chain variable region comprising CDRs 1, 2, and 3 comprising SEQ ID NOS:138-140, respectively, or a conservative substitution at up to 2 amino acids of one or more of SEQ ID NOS:138-140; (o) a heavy chain variable region comprising CDRs 1, 2 and 3 comprising SEQ ID NOS:144-146, respectively, or a conservative substitution at up to 2 amino acids of one or more of SEQ ID NOS:144-146, and a light chain variable region comprising CDRs 1, 2, and 3 comprising SEQ ID NOS:148-150, respectively, or a conservative substitution at up to 2 amino acids of one or more of SEQ ID NOS:148-150; (p) a heavy chain variable region comprising CDRs 1, 2 and 3 comprising SEQ ID NOS:154-156, respectively, or a conservative substitution at up to 2 amino acids of one or more of SEQ ID NOS:154-156, and a light chain variable region comprising CDRs 1, 2, and 3 comprising SEQ ID NOS:158-160, respectively, or a conservative substitution at up to 2 amino acids of one or more of SEQ ID NOS:158-160; or (q) a heavy chain variable region comprising CDRs 1, 2 and 3 comprising SEQ ID NOS:164-166, respectively, or a conservative substitution at up to 2 amino acids of one or more of SEQ ID NOS:164-166, and a light chain variable region comprising CDRs 1, 2, and 3 comprising SEQ ID NOS:168-170, or a conservative substitution at up to 2 amino acids of one or more of SEQ ID NOS:168-170.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the disease, disorder or condition is one or more of pulmonary hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy and failure, asthma, lung inflammation, sepsis, acute lung injury, respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary fibrosis, scleroderma, chronic obstructive lung disease/emphysema, normal and abnormal wound healing, cancer, cell proliferation, stem cell growth and differentiation, and diabetic retinopathy.
 29. The method of claim 27, wherein the anti-Resistin antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof further comprises a heavy chain constant region comprising SEQ ID NO:172 and a light chain constant region comprising SEQ ID NO:174.
 30. A method for treating a disease, disorder or condition mediated by human Resistin in a patient comprising the step of administering to the patient a single chain variable fragment (scFv) or antigen-binding fragment thereof that binds Resistin, wherein the scFv comprises SEQ ID NO:2 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acids of SEQ ID NO:2; SEQ ID NO:12 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acids of SEQ ID NO:12; SEQ ID NO:22 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acids of SEQ ID NO:22; SEQ ID NO:32 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acids of SEQ ID NO:32; SEQ ID NO:42 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acids of SEQ ID NO:42; SEQ ID NO:52 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acids of SEQ ID NO:52; SEQ ID NO:62 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acids of SEQ ID NO:62; SEQ ID NO:72 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acids of SEQ ID NO:72; SEQ ID NO:82 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acids of SEQ ID NO:82; SEQ ID NO:92 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acids of SEQ ID NO:92; SEQ ID NO:102 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 102; SEQ ID NO:112 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 112; SEQ ID NO:122 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 122; SEQ ID NO:132 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acids of SEQ ID NO:132; SEQ ID NO:142 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 142; SEQ ID NO:152 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 152; or SEQ ID NO:162 or a conservative substitution at up to 5 amino acids of SEQ ID NO:
 162. 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the disease, disorder or condition is one or more of pulmonary hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy and failure, asthma, lung inflammation, sepsis, acute lung injury, respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary fibrosis, scleroderma, arteriosclerosis, chronic obstructive lung disease/emphysema, normal and abnormal wound healing, cancer, cell proliferation, stem cell growth and differentiation, diabetic retinopathy, and insulin resistance. 